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First White Farm Seized In South Africa

(posted September 23, 2005)

Zimbabwean-style land seizures are spreading across Southern Africa, as witness what has just happened in South Africa. Seems a white-owned, 500-hectare cattle and crop farm in North West Province was seized yesterday by the government after talks broke down over the value of the property. The government wanted to pay $275,000, but the owner claimed it was worth almost twice that amount. You can read the entire report yourself as it appeared yesterday on the BBC web site by clicking on the hyperlink below.

The most important paragraphs in the report are the final two, as that is where Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka specifically refers to Zimbabwe and the land seizures that have been going on there. In remarking on the need to speed up the pace of land reform, Mlambo-Ngcuka says the pace "….needs a bit of oomph. That's why we may need the skills of Zimbabwe to help us."

Continuing subscribers know all too well what land seizures have done to the economy and to ranch-hunting in Zimbabwe. The former is in the tank, and the latter is almost non-existent now. Hunting has continued in Zimbabwe only because the nation has extensive government and tribal hunting lands. Almost all South African hunting is on private property, however, so widespread government seizures of property could spell the end of hunting in South Africa.

To be sure, a single seizure of a white-owned farm where no hunting was taking place poses no immediate threat to hunting. Any impact is likely to be years away. Still, the action yesterday is worrisome. And we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't tell you that. - Don Causey, Editor/Publisher.

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